[I urged my entreaty with earnestness, and my father was easily
induced to comply; for a more indulgent and less dictatorial
parent did not exist upon earth. Our plan was soon arranged. I
should travel to Strasburgh, where Clerval would join me. Some
short time would be spent in the towns of Holland, and our
principal stay would be in England. We should return by France;
and it was agreed that the tour should occupy the space of two
years.]

[My father pleased himself with the reflection, that my union with
Elizabeth should take place immediately on my return to Geneva.
"These two years," said he, "will pass swiftly, and it will be
the last delay that will oppose itself to your happiness. And,
indeed, I earnestly desire that period to arrive, when we shall
all be united, and neither hopes or fears arise to disturb our
domestic calm."]

"I am content," I replied, "with your arrangement. By that time
we shall both have become wiser, and I hope happier, than we at
present are." I sighed; but my father kindly forbore to question
me further concerning the cause of my dejection. He hoped that
new scenes, and the amusement of travelling, would restore my
tranquillity.]

<The duration of my absence was left to my own choice; a few months,
or at most a year, was the period contemplated. One paternal kind
precaution he had taken to ensure my having a companion. Without
previously communicating with me, he had, in concert with
Elizabeth, arranged that Clerval should join me at Strasburgh.
This interfered with the solitude I coveted for the prosecution
of my task; yet at the commencement of my journey the presence of
my friend could in no way be an impediment, and truly I rejoiced
that thus I should be saved many hours of lonely, maddening
reflection. Nay, Henry might stand between me and the intrusion
of my foe. If I were alone, would he not at times force his
abhorred presence on me, to remind me of my task, or to
contemplate its progress?

To England, therefore, I was bound, and
it was understood that my union with Elizabeth should take place
immediately on my return. My father's age rendered him extremely
averse to delay. For myself, there was one reward I promised
myself from my detested toils -- one consolation for my
unparalleled sufferings; it was the prospect of that day when,
enfranchised from my miserable slavery, I might claim Elizabeth,
and forget the past in my union with her.

>
I now made arrangements for my journey; but one feeling haunted
me, which filled me with fear and agitation. During my absence I
should leave my friends unconscious of the existence of their
enemy, and unprotected from his attacks, exasperated as he might
be by my departure. But he had promised to follow me wherever I
might go; and would he not accompany me to England? This
imagination was dreadful in itself, but soothing, inasmuch as it
supposed the safety of my friends. I was [agonized]<agonised> with the idea
of the possibility that the reverse of this might happen. But
through the whole period during which I was the slave of my
creature, I allowed myself to be governed by the impulses of the
moment; and my present sensations strongly intimated that the
fiend would follow me, and exempt my family from the danger of
his machinations.